WordGarden.iopoise
C1Pronunciation
UK
- /pˈɔɪz/
US
- /ˈpɔɪz/
Meanings
Noun
calm self-control and self-possession
graceful balance and controlled bearing in movement or posture
a unit used to measure dynamic viscosity
Verb
to hold or place in a steady, balanced, or ready position
Beyond the definition
Think of a ballerina – perfectly balanced, graceful, and calm even while performing difficult moves. That's poise! It's about carrying yourself with confidence and control, both physically and emotionally. You might admire someone for their poise under pressure, like a politician answering tough questions or an athlete recovering from a stumble.
Poise isn't just about how you look; it's about how you handle things. Someone with poise doesn't easily lose their cool—they maintain a calm, collected demeanor even when facing challenges. The word also describes a state of readiness. When you are "poised" to do something, you are balanced on the edge of action, like a runner at the starting block, prepared to move the moment the opportunity arises.
Poise describes a state of balanced control—both physically and mentally. It's about carrying yourself with grace, dignity, and self-assurance, even in challenging or unexpected situations. Imagine a tightrope walker—their physical poise is obvious, but they also need mental poise to stay focused and calm.
You can describe someone having poise: "She handled the difficult news with remarkable poise." This means she remained composed and dignified despite being upset. Poise suggests an inner stability that allows someone to navigate life's ups and downs without losing their equilibrium. The word is frequently used as a verb as well; an eagle might be "poised" high above a valley, or a pen might be "poised" above a page, suggesting a moment of suspended animation before action begins.
Historically, "poise" comes from the Old French word pois, meaning weight, which highlights its original connection to the literal balance of a scale. In the world of science, "poise" is also used as a specific unit of measurement for viscosity (the "thickness" of a fluid), but in everyday English, the heart of the word remains focused on equilibrium. Whether it is the physical grace of a dancer or the mental steadiness of a leader, poise represents a perfect harmony of strength, readiness, and stillness.
Examples
- 1
Public speaking
Maya stood at the microphone with quiet poise.
- 2
Sports
The skater landed the jump and kept her poise.
- 3
Under pressure
Even under pressure, he answered every question with poise.
- 4
Recovery
After the mistake, she took a breath and regained her poise.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Ready position
He sat with his pen poised over the contract.
- Patternpoised over + object
held ready above it
- 6
Likely success
The team is poised to win its first championship.
- Patternpoised to + verb
ready or likely to do it soon
- 7
City growth
The city is poised for major growth over the next decade.
- Patternpoised for + expected event
ready for something expected to happen
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- poisenounverb
Forms
- poisedpast tenseverbnoun
- poising-ing formverbnoun
- poisesverbnoun